The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for the QUAD countries to contain China in the Indo-Pacific but there remain several caveats
Myanmar Election: Lack of Consolidated Initiative Leads to Return of Military Rule
The external support by China and Russia lent support to the Tatmadaw, especially during the elections, and while ASEAN and western powers have refused to accept the legitimacy of the election, many of the immediate neighbours like India, Bangladesh, and Thailand prefer what they see as stability under the military, given their cross-border concerns.
Edible Geopolitics: How Asian Cuisine is Leveraging Soft Power to Wield Cultural Influence
At a time when global consumers are increasingly drawn to wellness-oriented and sustainable diets, South Asian culinary traditions, particularly those rooted in India’s Ayurveda, offer significant potential. However, without institutional backing, this remains diffused cultural capital rather than strategic influence.
The Rise of the E-Dragon: China’s Dominance in an Electrified World and Lessons for India
The China tale offers important lessons. China’s rise in the renewable sector is not just fuelled by demand for clean energy, but by a broader strategy, linking energy policy with manufacturing, technology development and global trade. India now seems to have begun taking steps in this direction. Policy measures such as the production-linked incentives scheme for solar manufacturing and efforts to expand domestic battery production are intended to strengthen the country’s clean energy ecosystem.
China Tightens a Strategic Arc Around India's Northeast - With Expanding Leverage in Myanmar and Bangladesh
China’s expanding influence in Myanmar and Bangladesh does not operate in isolation. It is reinforced by Beijing’s long-standing strategic partnership with Pakistan, frequently described by both sides as an “all-weather” alliance. In recent years, Islamabad has sought to revive and expand diplomatic engagement with both Dhaka and Naypyidaw, reflecting a broader effort to re-establish its presence along the eastern arc of the Bay of Bengal. While Pakistan lacks China’s financial scale or infrastructure capacity, its diplomatic signalling complements Beijing’s presence
More on Indo Pacific - China Watch
India, China militaries to hold eighth round of talks over border dispute
Indian and Chinese military commanders will meet for the eighth time next week to deliberate on resolving the border dispute in eastern Ladakh, after all earlier rounds of talks ended up in deadlock with no sign of de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control even as the winter is setting in
Tibetan leader invited to US State Department for first time
In a strong message to Beijing, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay has been invited formally to the US State Department, officials said on Friday
Maldives, China discuss boosting economic cooperation
Maldives and China engaged in discussions on Thursday, to explore economic cooperation in a post COVID-19 environment
Sri Lanka cannot alienate other creditors and solve debt problems with only China: Opposition MP
Sri Lanka’s cannot alienate other creditors and solve its debt problem by banking on China alone, with sovereign bond investors now taking about what would happen in the event of a credit event, Harsha de Silva, an opposition legislator said
US appoints special officer for Tibet
A day after President Xi Jinping called on Chinese troops to prepare for war, the United States appointed a senior official as its special coordinator for Tibetan issues
Chinese President XI asks troops to 'put minds and energy on preparing for war'
At a time when the seventh round of India and China military talks to resolve the border disputes in Eastern Ladakh have ended in a deadlock, Chinese President Xi Jinping has told his soldiers, "We must put all our minds and energy on preparing for war."
China says Sri Lanka willing to promote BRI projects
Sri Lanka is willing to make every effort to promote China’s Belt and Road (BRI) projects in the country and Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa publicly refuted the claim that China had set up a debt trap to control Sri Lanka, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday
Sri Lanka, China sign supplementary agreement on water supply, technology cooperation
Sri Lanka and China on Wednesday signed a supplementary agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding on water research and technology cooperation, aimed at providing clean drinking water to several areas of the country, a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said
India, China talks to de-escalate border tensions ends in deadlock
The seventh round of India and China military talks to resolve border disputes in Eastern Ladakh have ended in a deadlock
After Pompeo reveals 60,000 PLA troops along LAC, China calls Ladakh's status illegal
Three days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed that China has deployed 60,000 soldiers along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) against India, Beijing said that it does not recognise Ladakhs Union Territory (UT) status granted by New Delhi
Sri Lanka would be among first destinations for Chinese tourists after COVID-19, China assures
Upon request from Sri Lanka, China has assured that the Indian Ocean island nation would be among first destinations for Chinese tourists when travels resume after COVID-19 pandemic
Chinese envoy refutes economic minister's comments on FTA
Ambassador of China to Maldives Zhang Lizhong, on Monday, responded to the recent allegations raised by Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail regarding the free trade agreement signed with China during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom
Sri Lanka in talks to obtain USD 700 mn loan from China
Discussions are underway with China to obtain a loan facility of USD 700 million, state minister of money Ajith Nivard Cabraal has said
Rohingya: Dhaka wants Suu Kyi to join talks in Beijing
Bangladesh wants Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be present at a tripartite meeting in Beijing, as proposed by China to discuss Rohingya repatriation issues
